Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveApoorva Panidapu: The human calculator is a gem in STEAM

Apoorva Panidapu: The human calculator is a gem in STEAM

Written by: Amrita Priya

(February 3, 2023) When Apoorva Panidapu was invited to NBC National TV show Genius Junior, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris in 2018, her excellent performance in mental math created a buzz. Her effortless execution of complex math problems on the American television show established that the talented youngster is one among a select few internationally.

Since then, she has been popularly referred to as the human calculator. The seventeen-year-old high-schooler Apoorva of San Jose, California is not just a math genius. She wears many hats, and is well-known for her abilities in STEAM – an educational approach that incorporates the arts into the more-familiar STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) model. The student, teacher, mathematician, artist, social entrepreneur, and a keynote speaker loves helping kids around the world.

Apoorva Panidapu

Apoorva has received several global awards in mathematics such as the prestigious Davidson Fellow Laureate, Steven S Strogatz Prize for Math Communication, Spirit of Ramanujan Fellowship, and 2020 Global Child Prodigy Award. Home-schooled since grade six, Apoorva tells Global Indian, “When I was younger, my parents noticed that I loved puzzles and numbers. They realised that I was learning math at a faster pace than what a traditional public school could accommodate.”

The math prodigy’s foray into the world of art

The multi-talented youngster is an enthusiastic artist who loves to oil paint and sketch portraits. She is the founder of Apoorva Panidapu’s Art Gallery, an online platform through which she shares her artwork and raises funds for charity and social impact. Her paintings and stories have been featured on platforms like Ellen & Cheerio’s, ‘One Million Acts of Good’, Artists for Peace, and Stone Soup.

The grand prize winner of the NASA Langley Research Center’s Centennial Student Art Contest while talking about her exceptional achievements and choice of home-schooling mentions, “It gave me the chance to forge my educational path, learn at my own pace and work on exciting projects.”

The exceptional path

A genius in mathematics, Apoorva started taking college classes at age 11 and has since completed several upper-division and graduate-level mathematics courses with a keen interest in number theory. As the youngest researcher in the institution, she attended the prestigious highly selective Canada/USA Mathcamp and the University of Virginia REU both in 2020 as well as 2021. “I am grateful to have worked with world-renowned mathematicians, and to have co-authored six number theory research papers,” she tells.

Thank you so much to the Davidson Institute and Bob Davidson for this honor! Special thank you to my mentor Dr. Thorner for all his support. https://t.co/cvjZsey2WQ

— Apoorva Panidapu (@apoorvapanidapu) September 8, 2021

Apoorva executes complex problems with mental math using the abacus method of calculation, a technique that relies on an ancient tool. “I started my journey in math through abacus when I was 5 or 6 years old,” she says. “It’s just a different way of thinking about computation, adding, subtracting – all the operations,” she adds.

The STEAM enthusiast believes in giving back

A recipient of the Diana Award, Apoorva has also received six Presidential Volunteer Service Awards between 2016 – 2022 for her initiatives. She has been speaking on global platforms encouraging girls, gender minorities, and youth to pursue STEAM fearlessly. Apoorva is a global ambassador for GLAM (Girls Leadership Academy Meetup), through which she encourages girls between the age of eight to 12 from diverse backgrounds to pursue leadership and careers in the field of technology.

Apoorva has just received commendation from California State Senate which was presented by Senator Dave Cortese

Since she was 10, the philanthropic youngster has been using her talents to help underprivileged children with the mission to encourage them to use their gifts to make a difference in the world. “I have helped raise more than $50,000 to support children around the world by using the gifts in math and art,” Apoorva reveals.

The prodigy donates the money she makes through tutoring in math to help schools for visually impaired and tribal children in India. “I have very open conversations with my parents about what I value and want to invest my time in,” she says, adding, “I try to be intentional about having a schedule such that I’m truly motivated to do the things I do.”

Bringing together art and activism

From raising over $10,000 for the Child Hunger and Famine Relief fund to protesting racial injustice with her painting of George Floyd and donating $1,400 to Black Lives Matter organizations, Apoorva has thrived to bring together art and activism. As the mentor of the Girls Leadership Academy Meetup (GLAM), she has mentored over 1,000 young people through outreach.

Apoorva in one of the sessions as keynote speaker

The prodigy has also been associated with the Research Science Institute (RSI), which is one of the most prestigious international summer research programmes for high school students. It is sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and hosted by MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “I was glad to be selected as one of the top STEM talents from around the world to conduct original scientific research for six weeks,” she says. “This off-campus work in science and technology research has added to my perspectives of future goals,” she adds.

From numbers to letters

Apoorva has created an online column, Gems in STEM. Its her initiative to simplify technical topics of STEM through storytelling and pop culture. “In my journey in the world of math, I’ve realized that the ‘human’ part of the ‘Human Calculator’ that I am often called relates to my ability to connect to other people through humour and empathy, especially when I’m a student who is still learning and growing,” she remarks. “Through my articles, I want to convey that STEM has something or the other in store for everyone. You just need to know where to look at,” she adds.

“Gems in STEM has managed to reach out to more than 70,000 people,” tells the youngster who has also been publishing her monthly newsletter – Letter? I Hardly Know Her! “Through it I connect with my network of professionals, peers, and friends and keep them updated about the projects I’m working on, and upcoming events while sharing some interesting content to read,” she says.

The course of life

Apoorva’s parents hail from the southern part of India. The engineers moved to the US more than 20 years ago. It was there that Apoorva was born and raised. Following in the footsteps of her parents, the youngster intends to study math and engineering at university next year.

In her spare time, the teenager enjoys reading classical literature, playing the violin, and practicing Kung Fu. “I aim to work on projects with which I can make an innovative and positive impact on the world,” tells the expert in STEAM.

Well, her accomplishments so far tell us that she is already making a difference.

Follow Apoorva Panidapu on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and her website

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Published on 03, Feb 2023

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Indian teen racing champ Atharva has eyes on F1

(March 9, 2023) Atharva Desai was eight-years-old when he watched his first Formula 1 race on TV, at his Virginia home. He was enchanted. He ran and pressed his face up against the screen. With his sights set firmly on an F1 seat and hopefully, a world championship, the youngster participated in the regional Formula 3 championships in 2022. [caption id="attachment_11211" align="aligncenter" width="875"] Atharva Desai at the Anglesey Circuit in Wales[/caption] A Brit Indian with a need for speed Atharva Desai entered racing before he hit his teens. It's a cutthroat world that required emotional stability far beyond his years, just as much as talent and skill, he tells Global Indian. “Attitude and confidence are important. You never know who is watching you. While talent is the first thing scouts look for, the second round involves testing a person’s confidence and approach to life. They want someone who can endorse them, who will bring their team a good name.” Soon after he watched that first race on TV, his obliging parents took the excited eight-year-old to a go-karting track called the Allsports Grand Prix in Northern Virginia. He failed to meet the height requirements but was back the following year,

pproach to life. They want someone who can endorse them, who will bring their team a good name.”

Soon after he watched that first race on TV, his obliging parents took the excited eight-year-old to a go-karting track called the Allsports Grand Prix in Northern Virginia. He failed to meet the height requirements but was back the following year, determined to practice on his own. He was noticed by the track owner, Francois, who remarked to Atharva’s father that the boy “drives like a young Sir Jackie Stewart” and began teaching him the fundamentals of racing.

“I was 10 when I entered my first junior league,” says the Indian teen racing champ. A rookie, going up against opponents far more experienced than himself, he went on to win the championship, levelling up, and emerging victorious the next year too. “There was the last level left to compete at but my teacher stopped me. He thought I would beat everyone. My adult opponents wouldn’t have been happy about that,” he smiles.

After finishing second at the ROTAX National Race, Atharva was invited to test Formula 4 cars. And he impressed all. “I got blazing times. It got me noticed,” says the Indian teen racing champ who, in search of a good school to study engineering, chose Oxford Brookes College in the UK due to its motorsports curriculum.

At the Young Racing Driver Academy in Virginia, he met Jamie Horner, director, an established name, Horner’s brother, Christian, the British team principal for team Redbull Formula 1. “I became a developing driver to improve my skills, and hopefully race for them in the future,” says the 19-year-old. At the academy in Anglesey, drivers were put on simulators, chosen based on skills and timing. Atharva found out soon enough that F4 cars in the UK are quite different from those in the US. “The American cars are digital, less rigid. They’re not meant for aggressive racing. In the UK, they’re built for aggressive drivers – which is what I am,” says the Indian teen racing champ who re-honed his skills, leaving his mentors impressed.

How Nikki Lauda inspired him

Committed and driven, Atharva Desai is up before 6 am, starting with an hour at the gym. Back home, he cooks breakfast, and heads to class. Unwavering discipline, born of mental fortitude, he explains, “I don’t get angry often. Motorsports, especially, the earlier phases are competitive and full of aggression. You’re getting attacked both on and off the track. So, you learn. If someone provokes me, I think, my goal is to be in F1. My goal is not to meddle with the guy.”

Even his choice of idols is unusual – Nikki Lauda, the legendary Austrian Formula One and three-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, the only driver in history to be champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. In 1976, Lauda’s Ferrari swerved off the track and burst into flames. “He was pulled out of the car with half his face on fire. He didn’t give up, with dedication and mental strength, he made it through. Nothing could stand in his way,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

All about motorsport

Doing engineering in motorsport technology at Oxford, Atharva is uncommonly mature. “I was raised with Indian values. I understand that a little competition can go a long way,” he adds.

This year, he hopes to join a Formula 3 team in the US. “I have built good relationships there, and they are willing to give me an F3 seat,” says the racer whose connection with Arden Motorsports will continue alongside. “Next year, I start negotiating with Formula 2 teams. I also have to work at getting sponsors to back me,” says the Indian teen racing champ.

The chequered flag beckons

Much of his success, the Indian teen racing champ attributes to his unwavering resolve. “Attitude, confidence and general likeability all count for a lot. Being a race driver requires huge mental fortitude,” says the boy whose daily regimen involves mental training, “I do reaction time testing and I juggle - for balance and skill.”

Racing is an expensive sport, and staying on the track is thanks to the unflinching support by his parents. “I'm motivated by the fact they trust me and know I'm working hard,” says Atharva. He practices on iRacing, a simulation software. “There are actual drivers and scouts on it, so I practice and register for races,” says the teen, who loves to skateboard or decipher the Rubic's Cubes. Music is also a pet passion, “When I have time to spare, I make electronic music on my laptop,” he adds. The Indian teen racing champ’s 3,420 followers on Instagram are fondly called A4Rians, and he regularly updates them on race day highs.

As Youth Ambassador for Quench 66 by AquaKraft Pvt. Ltd, an initiative by the government of Maharashtra, he is also moving forward the mission to provide 50 million litres of drinking water across 500 schools in the state.

Follow Atharva on Instagram or visit his website, https://www.atharva4racing.com/

Singer Purva Mantri gives a melodious spin to this year’s Navratri Garba song penned by PM Modi

(October 11, 2024) As Navratri festivities sweep across India, the cultural vibrancy of Garba, a traditional Gujarati folk dance and song brings people together in devotion and celebration. This year, the festival shines even brighter for young singer Purva Mantri, who got a unique opportunity to sing a Garba song penned by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Known as the 'Indian Shakira,' Purva's energetic and mesmerising performances have become a Navratri staple over the years, drawing thousands to her shows in the previous years. No wonder when the PM penned a song for this year’s Navratri, Purva was chosen to give her voice to his lyrics. PM’s lyrics, Purva’s voice In a heartfelt message shared on X, Prime Minister Modi introduced the Garba song he wrote, titled Aavati Kalay, as a tribute to Goddess Durga. The Prime Minister lauded Purva for her "melodious rendition" and recognized her as a talented artist who truly brought the song to life. Purva Mantri who is just back from a five-city US tour calls herself “blessed and honoured” to get the opportunity to sing on a song penned by none other than PM Modi. She recorded the track and shot the music

tled Aavati Kalay, as a tribute to Goddess Durga. The Prime Minister lauded Purva for her "melodious rendition" and recognized her as a talented artist who truly brought the song to life.

Purva Mantri who is just back from a five-city US tour calls herself “blessed and honoured” to get the opportunity to sing on a song penned by none other than PM Modi. She recorded the track and shot the music video in just 24 hours. "This is really big for an artist and a citizen. I feel blessed. I am grateful and honoured to be part of this big track. I have tears in my eyes," said the Global Indian who has been involved with the world of music through stage shows, independent music and playback singing.

Mastering the art of live performances

For Purva who has been inclined towards music since she was a child, performing live during the high-energy nights of Navratri is an annual affair. With over 15,000 people attending her Garba and Dandiya nights in Surat each year, she has established herself as a dynamic voice in the music world. Reflecting on her journey, she shared in an interview, " My very first memory of performing during Navratri is from Rajkot when I performed at a proper ten-day Navratri event.” After giving multiple performances at Rajkot and Porbandar, the artist moved to Mumbai a few years back to try her luck, and started doing small events.

Her talent got identified by the founders of the band Bamboo Beats who hail from Gujarat. The Garba songs that she sang in collaboration with the band are very special to her because even after many years people dance to those tunes.

Despite the challenges of consistently delivering electrifying performances, Purva Mantri finds her energy from the audience. "The audience is my oxygen," she said. "When they come to see me perform, I think they should leave feeling it was worth it. Their energy fuels me, and even when I’m tired or jet-lagged, their positivity keeps me going." This connection with her audience has become her secret to sustaining high-octane performances throughout the festive season.

One of her most memorable experiences was during her first solo event in Surat. "There were around 15,000 people, and I got on stage with my own band for the very first time. After the show, an uncle who was in his 70s came to me with his grandson, and told her in Gujrati that his grandson calls her ‘Indian Shakiraben’. “I’ll never forget this line and it was very important to me because they felt that energy from there,” she remarked.

The global stage: Purvastic Tour 2024

While Purva has impressed Indian audiences for years, her recent Purvastic Tour 2024 took her talent to the United States. The tour, which kicked off in Atlanta, spanned major U.S. cities such as Dallas, Chicago, and Seattle, among others. Purva got an opportunity to showcase her indie music and her iconic fusion of singing with the Puneri Dhol. "Blending the Puneri Dhol with my singing has been a way to connect my Indian roots with a global audience. It’s thrilling to see how well it resonates," Purva remarked.

Purva carried her 27kg Puneri dhol to every city on her U.S. tour. It all started with an impromptu dhol act during a live show in Surat a few months back. She never imagined it would gain such popularity. “Playing the 27kg dhol while singing has become my USP,” she remarks. She gets calls from all over India to perform with it. So, she made it a point to carry it to the U.S. as well.

While performing she is so connected with the audience that she does not feel the weight of the dhol says the singer who wraps the strap of the dhol around her neck, so that it's well supported.

The power of positivity

Amidst the fast-paced music industry, Purva remains grounded, drawing strength from her father’s wisdom. "He once told me, “I know that you were meditating on stage. If performing is meditation for you, you will never fail. Just keep meditating like this.” Those words have stayed with her, and every time she performs, she remembers her father’s words and treats her performance as an act of meditation on stage.

Though the singer’s journey has been full of accomplishments, Purva acknowledges the challenges that come with it. "There is always a struggle. Even legends like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan continue to work hard to stay where they are. In this industry, you need to grow and adapt every day. But I love what I do, and my ultimate aim is to spread positivity and touch as many lives as possible."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJtUfRmVNJQ

Purva Mantri has observed that even audiences abroad connect with her due to this quality. Sharing an incident, she mentioned, “When I performed in New Zealand, several foreigners were also part of the event because they love our Indian culture. They went back home smiling and said, 'There are a lot of singers who come to Australia and New Zealand. But the positivity which you give on stage is different.’” Purva finds these comments as her accomplishment and inspiration.

Looking ahead: Tomorrowland dreams

With dreams of performing at Tomorrowland (one of the most popular annual music festivals in the world held in Belgium), Purva’s ambitions extend far beyond her current achievements. "They say when you perform at Tomorrowland, the whole earth moves. I want to see people dancing and jumping to my voice. It’s a big international dream that I am working toward," she said. In addition to her live performances, Purva is also exploring Bollywood playback opportunities.

As Purva continues to push the boundaries of her musical journey, her fusion of tradition and innovation, along with her infectious energy, ensures she remains a rising star in the Indian music industry and beyond.

Follow Purva Mantri on Instagram and Facebook

Reading Time: 5 mins

Umasri Pujyam: An NRI teenage crusader’s fight against pollution in Godavari

(May 24, 2023) The Godavari River, winding through the scenic Konaseema district, is a vital lifeline for its residents. Over time, however, pollution has been steadily chipping away at its vitality. Umasri Pujyam, a 15-year-old Memphis-based NRI, has been combating this very issue and has become the voice of the river, making waves in her passionate fight against pollution. In a short span of two years, the young crusader has already conducted over 100 river clean-up days in the Godavari, by bringing together volunteers from the local community to address the grim issue of water and plastic pollution and promoting access to clean drinking water for those affected by this existential threat. Even though she left for the US when she was just four, her ties to her native place (Ponnamanda village) have always been strong. It was the sight of the once-pristine Godavari river stretch near Razole in the Konaseema district that compelled her into action. "I found that river Godavari, which is central to the livelihoods of millions of people, is facing a range of threats, including water and plastic pollution," says the teenager, who is also worried about the impact of agricultural practices on the local environment

he local environment as her village Ponnamanda is largely agriculture-based. Moreover, explaining her mission, she said, "The heavy use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in farming has led to runoff that contaminates streams and rivers, further exacerbating the problem of water pollution. This made me take up the river cleanup and environmental protection mission."

Journeying to the Godavari River

Leaving the comfort of her home in the US, Umasri, who is currently studying in Class X, embarked on a journey to protect the Godavari's ecosystem, setting an exemplary model for youth across the world. From organising cleanup drives to rallying local communities, Umasri’s contributions towards reviving the river have been nothing short of extraordinary. She has transformed her journey into a movement, inspiring locals and authorities alike.

When she collected plastic waste from Godavari for 100 days, the act not just inspired the panchayat staff but also created a sense of responsibility among the youth. This led to the formation of ‘Youth Against Water Pollution’, an organisation that's raising voices against the water issues faced by the people of Konaseema.

[caption id="attachment_30314" align="aligncenter" width="662"] Umasri Pujyam cleaning the banks of Godavari river[/caption]

It was in 2021 that she began working on the mission while attending virtual classes. Since then, the movement has expanded and so has her outreach. Apart from her fieldwork in India, she is also creating awareness through social media.

Raising awareness

Umasri has also been instrumental in raising awareness about the hazards of pollution, not just to the river, but the overall ecosystem. Educational workshops, public awareness campaigns, and open dialogues have become commonplace in the Konaseema district, thanks to Umasri's initiative. She stresses the importance of sustainable practices and responsible waste disposal, emphasizing that change must start at the grassroots level.

For the last few years, she has been raising alarm against the untreated sewage and plastic - which is the key cause behind the river’s pollution. Moreover, Umasri has been guiding the locals on proper waste disposal and ways to reduce their impact on the environment and water sources. She cleans the river mostly on her own but often finds help from the locals in the form of volunteers. "I have collaborated with local officials and politicians including Amalapuram MP Chinta Anuradha and Razole MLA Rapaka to help work towards better environmental policies and conditions as well," the Global Indian added. This collective effort has removed tonnes of waste from the river, reducing pollution levels significantly and making a visible impact on the water quality.

In the pipeline

For someone passionate about environmental engineering and technology, she envisions the implementation of waste management systems and the introduction of eco-friendly alternatives to curb pollution. Besides, Umasri also aspires to engineer innovative and effective sewage treatment solutions that will help priortise access to clean water for all.

Her ultimate goal is to have a bright future for the villagers, wherein the health and prosperity of local communities are sustained. Umasri’s campaign is not just about restoring the Godavari River; it's about empowering the people who depend on it, building a better, sustainable future for them, and the generations to come. This dynamic young leader has shown that every small step matters.

Reading Time: 4 min

Finding his tempo: The rise and rise of tabla maestro Truptraj

(March 5, 2022) A tabla gifted to his father by a friend caught Truptraj Pandya's eye even before he had learned to walk. The instrument lay unused in a corner of the house. By the time he was 15 months old, he was already playing it, showing, even then, a prodigious talent for music which his parents noticed and encouraged. Today, at the age of 15, the young tabla maestro is well on his way to becoming the face of India's tabla landscape and has given over 200 public performances. He has been a guest of honour at major events and seminars and created a buzz in the media - local, national and international. In 2019, dressed in maroon attire, he stood proudly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi to receive his Bal Shakti Puraskar. Truptraj Atul Pandya is a master percussionist He is an established radio and TV artist as well, who has given more than several live performances. Proud that he has been conferred the Bal Shakti Puraskar. pic.twitter.com/iZu8ThvxH0 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2019 Fame and accolades have not robbed the young tabla maestro of his humility - he is modest and friendly during his interview with Global Indian.

Finding a guru

When Truptraj was about two years old, his father took him to attend Ustad Zakir Hussain's concert. The maestro took notice of the young prodigy and helped him out, connecting him to his disciple, Dhyaneshwar Popalghat, from the Ustad Allarakha Institute of Music for proper guidance. "My taalim started when I was about three and my association with my Guru still continues, even after 12 years," Truptraj smiles. He is now undergoing advanced training under Pandit Nayan Ghosh and has also been blessed by legends like Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasiya and Ustad Iqbal Ahmad Khan.

[caption id="attachment_11917" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Little Truptraj with Guinness Book of World Records certificate[/caption]

Encouraged by his parents and his Guru, Truptraj made his bid for the Guinness World Records when he was six years old. Even that, he believes, could have happened earlier. "My father applied for it a little late because he wanted to be sure that it was more than just a short-lived interest to me." His father's fears were unfounded, for Truptraj's love for the tabla has only grown stronger with time. The young tabla maestro devotes himself to perfecting his craft, leaving the details of managing his schedule to his father.

[caption id="attachment_11934" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Truptraj Pandya[/caption]

A student and a star

Truptraj is in the middle of the all-important Class X and exams are around the corner. Nothing holds him back from his riyaaz, however. "I might cut short the duration of my practice if I have exams but I never skip it," he says. The Covid-19 lockdown left him with ample time on his hands, with classes taking place from home. And the ace performer doesn't just juggle school and music, he also loves sports, serving as his school's basketball team captain for four years until 2019.

"My teachers and friends are very supportive," he says. "I have always taken proper permission from school before traveling for live performances. They make sure I don't miss out on notes and important assignments," adds the young maestro.

[caption id="attachment_11944" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Truptraj with President, Ram Nath Kovind[/caption]

In fact, no school event is complete without the musical stylings of Truptraj Pandya. "My teachers give equal opportunity and support to every pupil and my friends aren't my friends because of the tabla, our friendship comes from the heart," he says. The young maestro remains unconcerned by the looming exam season - he knows he has studied enough to do well. "My last performance was in December but if something comes up, I will take the opportunity," he says, now seasoned at juggling his many priorities. His favourite subject, he says, is history and he prefers documentaries to reading a textbook.

[caption id="attachment_11930" align="aligncenter" width="649"] Truptraj's family[/caption]

Follow your heart, he tells teens

Being on stage across India, with lakhs of people watching him, gives Truptraj a thrill like no other. "This is just the beginning, I have a long way to go," he says, modestly. "I love stage performances, though. I feel a little nervous just before I begin but once I begin playing my tabla, my fears vanish. The music takes over me and I'm confident that I won't let the audience and myself down," he says.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4X_cIb18K8[/embed]

"Do what you love" is his advice to other teenagers. "Don't give into pressure at home or from family, if you do, you will only get tired and quit someday. But if you do things that you love, you will not get tired of it, you will always be hungry for more. You will remain motivated and passionate. Practice more and be patient," he signs off.

Follow Truptraj Pandya on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Girls activists with a plan: How 3 US-Indian teen activists are breaking barriers on issues that matter

In this special Global Indian Youth column, student and youth leader JEEVA SENTHILNATHAN finds three girl activists on a mission to create positive impact... (January 28, 2022) The involvement of heavy politics has never been a place for young South Asian teens, but as small obstacles creep up on Indian youth born and raised in the US, they aren’t going to be sitting down quietly any time soon. From stopping the rise of Asian hate to clearing dysfunctional organisations, Indian youth has become the solution to take a stance, speak up, and lead the way. These three girl activists have spoken up and their voices have been heard. Through civic engagement programmes, activist initiatives, and voter outreach, many young Indians have primarily been filling in the spaces. As Generation-Z rises, Indian youth has gone back to the South Asian community to assist in US citizenship, voter registration, and political field mobilisation. These tactics have thus far been the key to winning major elections in the US, including former candidates to now electees - vice-president Kamala Harris, Congressman Ro Khanna, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. [caption id="attachment_10157" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Jeeva Senthilnathan[/caption] Akhila Mullapudi takes political activism forward Girl activist Akhila

" src="https://stage.globalindian.com/youth///wp-content/uploads/2022/01/MicrosoftTeams-image-38.png" alt="Girl Activist | | Akhila | Deepa | Madhvi Global Indian Youth" width="432" height="436" /> Jeeva Senthilnathan[/caption]

Akhila Mullapudi takes political activism forward

Girl activist Akhila Mullapudi is a freshman at the University of Michigan. Her work with political activism began during the March for Our Lives protests following the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School where she participated in her first protest in 2018. From there, her advocacy work expanded to include a plethora of causes including but not limited to intersectional feminism, criminal justice reform, climate justice and civic engagement. She works with organisations like Generation Ratify, a feminist movement, the Zero Hour, a climate justice organisation, and Blue Future, a political mobilisation and grassroots campaign.

In 2020, she began interning for Congressman Andy Levin’s campaign in Michigan’s 9^th district working on data and finance. From there, she was able to transform her skills as an organiser to create political change from within. During the summer of 2021, she collaborated with Congressman Levin on his democracy summer programme hosted through Congressman Raskin. In the course of time, Akhila learnt how to run a campaign, issue-based advocacy from the representative side, and mobilise people directly in the community.

“Thank you to the offices of @SenWarren and @RepLawrence for meeting with Generation Ratify today! We are beyond honored to have lobbied with you on International Women’s day for the Equal Rights Amendment!,” the girl activist posted on her work with Generation Ratify.

Beyond political work, Akhila is enthusiastic about student representation in administration. Her passion began as a member of the student round table in high school where she later became president, and continued into college where she serves as the deputy policy advisor for university affairs with the University of Michigan’s Central Student Government. She believes that students should be involved in the decisions that so drastically impact not only their education but their lives.

Mentoring students, cleaning up local parks, or anything in between, she has received the Farmington Youth Assistant Award in which she received Congressional and Senatorial special recognition for her community service.

The recipient of the American Legion Award, and the Brykalski Coolman Award from her high school, it is Akhila’s hope is to create positive impact.

Follow Akhila Mullapudi on Twitter and Instagram

Madhvi Chittoor, the eco ethics propagator

As a six year old, girl activist Madhvi spearheaded an ecological movement with Madhvi4EcoEthics, a non-profit that works towards ridding the planet of plastics. The girl activist has shared the stage with world renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg at Denver’s Global Climate Strike in October 2019.

“Wow! So much #plastic waste! We humans must be ashamed of ourselves! Please let's #RefusePlastics & teach the #manufacturers of plastics/#plasticproducts, a lesson to switch to #ecofriendly products! #GreenPlanet #BeatPlasticPollution,” the girl activist posted spreading the world.

The dynamic and enthusiastic Madhvi Chittoor, or NoStyrofoamNinja (her other name) began her efforts in 2017, to raise awareness against plastic and styrofoam pollution, climate change and fight for climate justice. As a global plastic pollution youth ambassador, she is being called the “best up and coming peacemaker” backed by 14 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates by PeaceJam Billion Acts, speaker, music composer and author. Her hope is to create rights for all earth’s natural resources - lakes, waters, streams, oceans, land, air, atmosphere, forests, biodiversity, mangroves, flora and fauna. Setting an economic value for their usage and conservation is her priority.

“Our mission is to usher impactful change advocating eco ethics and enabling green choices in-lieu of non-green convenience and greedy economics to protect ecosystems, public health and climate,” says Madhvi.

The girl activist's Global EcoEthics Movement has touched India, Bangladesh, Gambia, Zimbabwe and US with its efforts. Madhvi is a black belt in Taekwondo, and often speaks on ecological accountability.

Chittoor had proposed a state-wide ban on styrofoam take-out containers and single-use plastics in restaurants and grocery stores, for which she rallied many signatures. A task force was set up, and Chittoor was asked to lead it. In September 2019, the Jeffco Public School district — with 86,000 students across 155 schools — made the switch to compostable paper lunch trays. She has also written and published a book Is Plastic My Food? which educates about the plastic menace.

Deesha Panchal leads the way for equal rights

Girl activist Deesha is an active leader in her community. Founder of the nonprofit Georgia Youth Leaders, she enables students to develop passion driven projects of change in their community. A stepping stone to the work of policy is developing the next generation of socially-conscious leaders. This is exactly what Georgia Youth Leaders aims to do. Her nonprofit work has been featured in Forbes and won the 7000th Points of Light Service award.

“I am so honored to be chosen as 1 of 23 #aeriereal changemakers on the behalf of @georgia.yl,” she posted on social media,” after being chosen as a change maker. The girl activist's motto according to her Instagram profile is, “You gotta move different when you want different.”

The youth leader’s advocacy work furthers the development of conversations around politics. A member of the Asian students for Biden roundtable during the 2020 election, the girl activist discussed the importance of political candidates acknowledging the concerns of all minority groups and the power that Asian Americans hold within the election process. Furthermore, the roundtable discussed procedures young people can take to increase the Asian American voting turnout.

Deesha was recently crowned second runner up of the Miss GA Bharat pageant. A role model for young girls everywhere, she was able to support local candidates in elections and speak about the importance of local government through her affiliation with pageant work. The girl activist was also seen supporting Sophie Gibson of Norcross.

Follow Deesha Panchal on Twitter and Instagram

(The writer is a young Indian American who ran for office in Parker, Colorado at 18. Jeeva’s activism covers climate change, mental health, and teacher pay. Her organisation Privando aims to help solve India’s crisis of being the a dangerous country for women.)

Follow Jeeva Senthilnathan on Twitter and Instagram
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